As students across King County settle into a new school year, many families are navigating big transitions — new routines, new environments, new academic pressures, and new social dynamics. For some children and teens, these shifts can intensify feelings of stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm.
As a result, we want every parent, caregiver, educator, community provider and young person to know that free, immediate support is always available: you are not alone. Reach out for yourself or for a loved one for any kind of mental health or substance use challenge you might be facing. Here’s what to do:
Call or Text for Immediate Support — Anytime
Whether it’s anxiety, thoughts of self-harm, or overwhelming emotions— someone is always ready to listen.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate support 24/7 from local crisis counselors.
- Teen Link: Teens can talk peer-to-peer with trained teen volunteers by calling or texting 866‑TEENLINK.
These services are free, confidential, and available to everyone.
In-Person Help When You Need It: YMCA Mobile Crisis Response Teams
One of the most powerful supports available in King County are the YMCA Mobile Response teams. By calling or texting 988, families or youth can request a team from the YMCA to meet you anywhere in King County for in-person support. Their services are free and they follow up with youth and families for up to eight weeks after a crisis. Here are some situations you might call and request a crisis response team for:
- Conflict at home
- Self-harm
- Thoughts of suicide
- Aggressive behavior
- Sudden changes in your child’s behavior
- Drug or alcohol use challenges
- Disruption in family
What makes these teams unique?
- They support youth, parents, and families together.
- They come to you — no referral, no cost.
- They help calm things down, talk it through, listen without judgment, and guide families toward ongoing resources.
Sometimes the hardest part is making the first call. This video offers a look into how the crisis teams work and what families can expect.
Walk-In for Mental Health Urgent Care
For non-emergency situations that still require prompt attention, King County now has a new Youth Behavioral Health Urgent Care clinic open every day 11 a.m.-7p.m. at our Crisis Care Center in Kirkland.
Mental Health Urgent Care is ideal for:
- Increases in anxiety or depression
- Emotional reactions to school stress
- Behavioral escalations at home or school
- Situations where a youth needs support today— but not necessarily an ER visit
- A starting place to get connected to routine mental health support or substance use treatment
Families can make an appointment or just walk in, talk with behavioral health professionals, and receive same‑day support, safety planning, and referrals for ongoing care. There are no client costs for services. You can call 425-650-3896 or schedule online.
The Kirkland Crisis Care Center’s youth behavioral health urgent care is a place where young people and families can take a breath, reset, and get guidance before a crisis becomes an emergency.
Call 911 or go straight to the ER for life-threatening emergencies, if someone is in immediate danger, has a suicide plan, intent, a medical emergency, or is behaving in a way that could seriously harm themselves or others.
Find a Provider
To get mental health help for a concern that isn’t urgent, you can search for therapists and other community providers and programs by clicking here and contact a provider directly. Appointments are widely available.
If you aren’t sure which provider can help, call King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division’s Client Services line at 206-263-8997 or 1-800-790-8049.
Share These Resources
When families know what resources exist, they can get help early. And early support can prevent a difficult moment from turning into a crisis.
We encourage providers, schools, youth organizations and clubs, community partners, and families to re-share this blog and our materials: Crisis Care Centers Social Media Toolkit
Please reach out to CCCLevy@kingcounty.gov to request printed flyers or a presentation about youth crisis services. Follow @kingcountydchs on LinkedIn and Instagram. We will be posting social media content about youth crisis services to share this fall.
